WASHINGTON– The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) President and CEO Jason Resendez issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s FY2024 budget:
From paid family and medical leave to strengthened aging and disability care, President Biden has presented a budget that can help make caregiving more dignified, equitable, and sustainable for America’s 53 million family caregivers.
Family caregivers provide 36 billion hours of unpaid care each year valued at more than $600 billion. Our families, our communities, and our economy rely on their contributions every day, yet they are often overlooked and underinvested in.
We applaud the bold investments in family caregiving outlined in the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2024, including:
- $325 billion over 10 years to establish a permanent, national comprehensive paid family and medical leave program.
- $150 billion over 10 years to improve and expand Medicaid home and community-based services, such as personal care services.
- $2.4 billion for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to help
empower family caregivers of eligible veterans with stipend payments and support services. - $1 billion for dedicated Cancer Moonshot activities across federal agencies with a focus on supporting patients and caregivers.
- Historic investments in making mental health services and coverage more accessible and comprehensive.
These investments, coupled with action on the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, released by the administration in 2022, can move us closer to a nation where family caregivers get the economic and health justice they deserve. We urge Congress to take swift action to implement these care provisions.
About the National Alliance for Caregiving:
Established in 1996, the National Alliance for Caregiving is a national membership-based organization focused on building health, wealth, and equity for family caregivers through research, innovation, and advocacy. We envision a society that values, supports, and empowers family caregivers to thrive at home, work, and life. Learn more at http://www.caregiving.org.
